Abel Motorsports driver Yuven Sundaramoorthy will fulfill every Badger football fan’s dream this weekend, as the Wisconsin graduate puts on the famous white-and-red “W” helmet.
But Wisconsin native Sundaramoorthy’s playing field will be the INDY NXT by Firestone race at the Milwaukee Mile rather than Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, where he spent so many hours watching Badger football as a student.
Sundaramoorthy will join teammates Jacob Abel and Taylor Ferns at the Milwaukee race weekend, capped by the 90-lap race at 3:50 p.m. ET Saturday (Peacock, INDYCAR Radio Network). He was born in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, but his family moved to China for his father’s work when he was 3 years old. The family moved near Albany, New York, when Yuven was 10, but Wisconsin continued to hold his attention. So, when the time came to choose a college destination, it was an easy call for the lifelong Badgers’ fan.
“My parents always bought me Badger stuff growing up because I was into the Wisconsin sports,” Sundaramoorthy said. “It was a faint memory for me, but growing up, I told everyone I was from Wisconsin. I knew I wanted to go to college there.”
Earning a degree in computer science late last year and playing a significant role in the school’s third-place finish in the Formula SAE electric race car competition, Sundaramoorthy believes technological innovations such as the hybrid engines used in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES open the door for graduates with his background.
“Racing is becoming more and more technical, and I think that means that there's an increasing connection between computer science and racing in general,” Sundaramoorthy said. “Computer science makes the new technological pieces work as the sport evolves toward more of an electronic basis instead of mechanical. Add in the degree of data analytics, and the need for drivers to understand what’s happening and why, and that background becomes that much more important.”
Sundaramoorthy plans to cheer on the Badgers at as many games as possible, balancing racing demands with the football schedule, starting with Aug. 30 against Western Michigan. Wearing a Badgers’ helmet on at the Milwaukee Mile will fulfill a dream.
“With the new Big Ten, it's one of the toughest schedules they've had in a while, especially with the Pac-12 teams joining – it’s a whole new ballgame,” Sundaramoorthy said. “So, to be able to put that helmet on myself, it's going to be super cool and I'm really excited, especially getting to attend the game right before the race.”
“I played football for a little bit in high school, and I've been watching Badger games since I was super young, back when it was JJ Watt and Russell Wilson. This is definitely going to be a really cool experience, and I'm really excited to put that helmet on.”
The helmet is one part of a new look for Sundaramoorthy this weekend. His No. 22 car also will feature branding from Wisconsin-based OPTIMA Batteries at the Milwaukee race and the season finale Sept. 15 at Nashville Superspeedway.